Topical Encyclopedia
Righteousness, in biblical terms, refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable in the sight of God. It is a central theme in Scripture, highlighting the contrast between God's holiness and human sinfulness. The Bible consistently teaches that, by nature, no human being possesses righteousness.
The Fall and Human NatureThe doctrine of original sin, rooted in the account of the Fall in
Genesis 3, underscores the inherent unrighteousness of humanity. Adam and Eve's disobedience introduced sin into the world, affecting all their descendants. As a result, every person is born with a sinful nature. The Apostle Paul articulates this condition in
Romans 3:10-12 : "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.'"
The Universality of SinThe universality of sin is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (
Romans 3:23). This inherent sinfulness means that, by nature, no one can achieve righteousness through their own efforts or merits.
Isaiah 64:6 poignantly describes human righteousness as "filthy rags," illustrating the inadequacy of human attempts to attain moral purity before a holy God.
The Need for Divine InterventionGiven humanity's inability to achieve righteousness on its own, the Bible reveals the necessity of divine intervention. God's plan for redemption is centered on the provision of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:19 contrasts the disobedience of Adam with the obedience of Christ: "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."
Imputed Righteousness through FaithThe concept of imputed righteousness is foundational to the Christian faith. It is the belief that God credits righteousness to those who have faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is not earned but is a gift from God. Paul explains this in
2 Corinthians 5:21 : "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are justified and declared righteous before God.
Living Out RighteousnessWhile righteousness is imputed to believers through faith, the Bible also calls Christians to live out this righteousness in their daily lives.
Ephesians 4:24 exhorts believers to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This involves a transformation of character and conduct, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as believers seek to reflect God's righteousness in their actions and relationships.
ConclusionThe biblical teaching that none are righteous by nature underscores the profound need for God's grace and the transformative power of the Gospel. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers receive the gift of righteousness, enabling them to stand justified before God and to pursue a life that honors Him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 15:14What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
Torrey's Topical TextbookPsalm 14:3
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that does good, no, not one.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Romans 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have ...
... to separate things of a diverse nature, the Spirit ... he reigns, and hath brought in
righteousness, Romans 14 ... comfort her," (ver.21) sighing, and none to comfort ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxiv if so be.htm
Original Righteousness.
... his fall man lost this original righteousness once for ... No, a sinner in his fallen
nature is altogether ... With Scripture we confess: "There is none righteous, no ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/v original righteousness.htm
Its Nature
... this it is argued that neither sin nor righteousness are in ... a just God and a Saviour;
there is none beside Me': Isaiah 45:21." No, in the very nature of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/5 its nature.htm
"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness," &C.
... this sentence upon you all, "There is none righteous, no ... The righteousness that the
law of God requires is perfect ... of Adam, and wretched men by nature, see this ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv but seek ye.htm
"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us,"
... None can say but he is infinitely better, even while ... him without fear, in holiness
and righteousness." It was ... of God became partaker of our nature, than only ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv that the righteousness.htm
Hidden and Revealed
... known to us all, that He declares righteousness, that He ... whatever darkness there
may be, there is none due to the ... He has Himself imposed on our nature, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/hidden and revealed.htm
"This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare ...
... so directly attributed to God, as light, none used to ... then Jesus Christ, the Sun
of righteousness, is carried ... there is nothing in its own nature darker than ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon x this then is.htm
Practical Righteousness
... None of the New Testament writers proclaims a more ... by righteousness, I reiterate
that the righteousness of the ... of your will and of your whole nature, and not ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/practical righteousness.htm
The Righteousness of Faith
... that we cannot, by any of our righteousness, (for indeed we have none at all,) nor
by any of ... And is not this the very state wherein by nature we are? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 6 the righteousness of.htm
Of the First Covenant.
... could not extend to God; that his righteousness could not ... make others happy, though
he had need of none, O how ... great work to show unto you the nature of this ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxii of the first.htm
Resources
What does it mean to pursue righteousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the weapons of righteousness in 2 Corinthians 6:7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-righteousness? | GotQuestions.orgRighteousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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